Toddler Makeup and Manicures for Kids

Question: "Is it safe to put my makeup on my toddler? What about taking her to get a manicure?"

If your wee one is fascinated by your daily makeup routine, she may want to put her face on, too, just like Mommy. And compared to her plain old fingers and toenails, your pretty polished ones look positively dazzling. No wonder she’s clamoring for her own colorful cosmetics. But is it safe to paint that little face and have a toddler makeup session? And are manicures for kids really harmless? Here’s the deal:

Toddler Makeup

Making up your munchkin isn’t likely to do any damage, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. But one- to three-year-olds’ skin can be extra-sensitive, and some cosmetics can cause breakouts or even an allergic reaction. So if your girlie girl begs for some beautifying, consider these tips:

Check the ingredients. See a lot of words you can’t pronounce? Those tongue twisters are probably the chemicals most likely to set off a skin condition. When applying toddler makeup, choose products with just a few (preferably natural or organic) ingredients or products designed with sensitive skin in mind, like less-irritating mineral makeup and cosmetics just for kids.

Make toddler makeup sessions an occasional treat. Reserve getting dolled up for playing dress up instead of making it a regular occurrence. That delicate skin needs a breather between girlie grooming days (and you have enough on your mommy to-do list to become her personal makeup artist).

Take a “less is more” approach. Skip the full-face, pageant-princess look, and see if your tot will be happy with a simple swipe of Vaseline or (USDA-certified organic) lip balm (“ooh, shiny!”) or a dab of mineral blush on her cheeks (“so rosy!”). Or give her her own clean set of makeup brushes and let her pretend to do her makeup as you do yours. That may be just enough to calm her cosmetics craving.

Manicures for Kids

Like letting your tot wear makeup, treating her to the occasional manicure — either at home or at a salon — isn't dangerous (and can be lots of fun for both of you). It’s even safer if you take these precautions:

Select a salon smartly. Since little lungs are sensitive to strong fumes, choose a clean, well-ventilated nail salon for your sweetie’s service. It’s also a good idea to go early in the day, before too many chemicals are circulating.

Bring your own equipment. Besides choosing a spick-and-span salon, you need to make sure clean implements are used. If you’re at all suspect about a salon’s sterilization methods, bring a nail kit from home for your toddler. (Be sure you sanitize it with alcohol first.)

Skip the cuticle cutting. Those quick clips create potentially painful hangnails and open up skin to infections. Push your pipsqueak’s cuticles back rather than allowing them to be snipped (that’s good advice for your fingers, too).

Consider your tot’s mood and maturity. Is she old enough to sit still during the manicure and while her nails are drying? Comfortable enough with strangers to let someone else tend to her hands or toes? If your itty-bitty beauty queen isn’t quite ready for the salon experience, do a little at-home pampering. Use eco-friendly polishes, if possible — there are brands that are free of harsh chemicals like toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP — and check out these other tips for toddler nail care.

One last thing: While it’s normal for girls (and many boys) to be interested in getting gussied up, it’s certainly not necessary. So if you’re uncomfortable with makeup or manicures for kids, you’re not a bad parent if you just say no. Whatever you choose, be sure to remind your pint-sized princess that she’s perfect the way she is.

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